|
From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
|
|
|
CASE / Academy of Law & Leadership Highlights (2026)
Last week, CASE held the annual Academy of Law & Leadership, and I wanted to share a few highlights of my learning that you might find helpful.
A consistent theme was that relationships and process matter. Whether working with families or navigating meetings with advocates, slowing things down, setting clear norms, and creating space for meaningful participation makes a difference. Empathy continues to go a long way.
There was also a strong reminder to be thoughtful, not reactive. Grounding our work in data, avoiding pre-determination, and approaching conversations with an open mind helps ensure decisions come through true discussion.
Clarity and consistency were emphasized as well—clear procedures, strong documentation, and high-quality IEPs not only support students, but also help reduce disputes. Good systems and proactive communication matter.
As expected, the legal landscape continues to evolve. From due process and discipline to service animals, private placements, and even AI in complaints, the work is growing in complexity. Staying grounded in FAPE, LRE, and student need remains essential.
A final takeaway was the importance of strengthening systems while keeping the human side at the center. When we focus on building capacity, using data, and addressing root causes—while also prioritizing trust, communication, and the family experience—we are better positioned to support both students and staff.
Grateful for the learning—and for the way CASE continues to bring special education leaders together in this work.
As always...thank you for all you do.
|
|
|
|
|
✨ Share a Glimmer ✨
Share your “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Party Billing Update
|
|
|
The Department of Human Services hosted a session this past week. During that session, they communicated that they are aware and understand that there are barriers to billing in education should they make the changes they were proposing. They are gathering additional feedback. They did indicate that there will be a delay in the implementation and that further guidance will be forthcoming. That is great news, and MASE will be sure to follow it closely and use every opportunity to share our concerns!
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 Tuition Billing Final Calculation – Federal Funds Tuition Payments
|
|
|
The final calculation for SFY 2025 state aids with tuition adjustments have been completed. The federal funds have been applied to the non-reimbursed costs. Resident districts that requested to use their federal finance 419 funds for tuition have been applied to the districts serving the resident districts’ students. The federal funds are anticipated to be paid to the serving district at about the same time the negative adjustments will be made in the Integrated Department of Education Aids System (IDEAS).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recap: Legislative Update
|
|
|
It’s the final stretch of the 2026 legislation session as we head into the last three weeks before the constitutional adjournment date. Dynamics at the Capitol are still uncertain as a tied House has stalled the traditional process of moving companion omnibus bills into conference committees. Legislators say the lack of alignment between chambers is making negotiations less predictable, with some raising concerns about a lack of coordination between both bodies. Leadership may set joint budget targets soon, but if that occurs is also uncertain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEDRA and ACTE-SPED Opening May 1
|
|
|
Specific service code expenditures without errors entered in SEDRA for SFY 2026 as of April 30, 2026, will be copied into the upcoming year on May 1 by 9 a.m. Prior to May 1, 2026, please review your SEDRA lines to ensure only current data rolls into the new year. As of April 01, 2026, 36,900 lines have not been updated since May 2025.
SEDRA expenditures without errors for the 25-26 school year will generate the state and federal cover sheets for SFY 2027. State and federal cover sheets will be made available in the Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR) by 9 a.m. on May 4. This is due to May 1 being on a Friday and SEDRA data is loaded to the mainframe overnight and so data to create the cover sheets is not available until Monday, May 4. Each line will be renumbered for the new fiscal year and will have an error message “Initial Data – Has Not Been Retained or Changed.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MDE Load of State Fiscal Year 2026 Final Federal Allocations
|
|
|
The SFY 2026 final allocations have been loaded into the Minnesota Education Grant System (MEGS) for the following Finance Codes (FIN).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deadline Today! Are You Retiring This Year?
MASE members: If you are retiring this year, please let us know your retirement date and a brief (250 words maximum) career summary. If you are attending the Best Practices Conference (May 13-15), we will recognize you briefly and share a small thank-you gift. We will also publish career summaries in our newsletter during May and June.
Deadline: Today, May 1!
|
|
|
|
|
Reminder: You can maintain your connection to MASE with a Retiree Membership! You’ll continue to receive our weekly newsletter and be eligible for member rates on our conferences and other events. We have also just added a checkbox for our Retiree members so you can indicate if you are open to being considered for independent/temporary work should districts have a need.
Login to your Member Compass to check the box in the Profile tab (and make any other updates needed).
|
|
|
|
|
CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
Update: At the CASE Annual Membership meeting, a link was shared for the CASE Professional Learning Needs Assessment. While it is lengthy, please complete this survey to provide valuable feedback to CASE.
Registration for the Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS) is open. This event takes place July 19–22 in Washington, DC. MASE sends a group (executive director, CASE representative, president, and president-elect) to this event to learn and advocate on federal issues and their impact in Minnesota. We would love to have others join us! If you would like information regarding our travel plans, reach out to me at melissa.schaller@isd917.org and I will send you details. This event fills up quickly, so it is important to register early.
There are proposed changes to the SPP/APR - Parts B & C. More information will come from Myrna. Comments are due May 22. If you want to check them out, go to www.regulations.gov. For Part B, enter ED-2026-SCC-0661 and For Part C, enter ED-2026-SCC-0628.
CASE will host advocacy training for state units. This was developed under the leadership of our own Cherie Johnson. This is planned for June 18 at 4 p.m. More to come.
Also, please go the Action Center on the CASE website... Act Now. Act Again.
Keep these two issues on the forefront for legislators:
-
Keep all education programs in the U.S. Department of Education; and
-
Oppose privatization of education through any voucher mechanisms.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
🎉 BEST Bingo Night Yet Is HERE! 🎉
Get ready to turn up the energy at the Minnesota Special Education Leadership Foundation (MNSELF) Bingo Extravaganza, our most exciting fundraiser yet, all in support of learning for leaders!
📍 Townhall Ballroom
📅 Thursday, May 14, 2026
🕖 7:15 PM kickoff (don’t be late… the first game starts right away!)
This is not your average bingo night. It’s 10 high-energy rounds packed with laughter, friendly competition, and seriously amazing prizes. Your $20 ticket includes two cards per game, plus the option to add more chances to win if you're feeling lucky.
✨ What to expect:
· 🎯 10 fast-paced Bingo rounds
· 🎁 Designer handbags (Michael Kors, Kate Spade & Portland Leather!)
· 🧊 Other prizes from Fjallraven, Portland Gear, and Hulkin. Also gift cards, including a special bucket from Menards!
· 🎟️ Raffle drawings with exclusive prizes
· 🍹 Cash bar + wait staff service to keep you in the game
Whether you're in it for the purses, the prizes, or just a fun night with colleagues, there’s something for everyone.
💥 Tickets will go FAST! Grab yours early and be part of a night that brings the fun while supporting a mission that matters.
Let’s pack the room, raise some funds, and make this the BEST Bingo Night yet! 🌟
BINGO $20 for 2 packs: https://square.link/u/vYCyUJwN
BINGO $10 for 1 pack: https://square.link/u/wf2zlHO8
You will also have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a money tree!
$5 for 1 ticket: https://square.link/u/rqnaWrME
If you have any questions, please contact:
Tanya Tacker, ttacker@rrsec.org
Christian Wernau, cwernau@zumbroed.org
Nicole Bolduan, nbolduan@gced.k12.mn.us
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join Us at the MASE Best Practices Conference!
|
|
|
|
|
Today is the registration deadline so that we can provide Madden’s with an accurate count for food & beverage! If you need more reasons to attend:
-
Check out our breakout session information.
-
Keynotes Phyllis Wolfram (CASE Executive Director) and Sherlonda Sharp (speaker, consultant, and comedian) will share insightful and impactful presentations.
-
More than 350 people have already registered to attend our conference—that’s more than we’ve had in the last 5 years! Sign up now to join us!
|
|
|
|
|
Online registration closes May 1, sign up today to secure your spot!
Our sponsor opportunities are also going quickly! All exhibit space has been sold. Many other great options for visibility remain—including Mobile App Sponsorship, Keynote Sponsorships, Lunch Sponsorships, and one Coffee Break Sponsorship!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Download the 2026 MASE Legislative Platform
 The MASE Legislative Committee, working with lobbyist Valerie Dosland, has created our Legislative Platform for this session of the Minnesota Legislature. With many important issues facing Special Education this year, read the platform so you’re aware of the issues our team will focus on. Key focus areas are fair and sustainable funding (including repeal of the $250 million cut to special education cross-subsidy aid), and flexible and supportive policy—especially pertaining to special educator recruitment and retention as well as safe and secure school environments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members, Tell Us about Yourself
|
|
|
We are bringing back the MASE Member Spotlights! We have some new questions and we’re hoping to hear from some of our members. We will feature Member Spotlights in this newsletter and in our social media posts so that members get to know more about one another. Thanks to those who have already responded!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Data Tracking Staffing
|
|
|
Tuesday, May 5 | 12 p.m.
The topic for our next SLICE webinar is Data Tracking Staffing, with presenters from Area F2. Join us at Noon for informal conversations with your colleagues from across the state. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation e-mail.
Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FY 2027 PELSB Seeks Reviewers for PPG
Legislation for a Pathway Preparation Grant was created and $400,000 in funding was appropriated by the Minnesota legislature for state fiscal year 2027. The purpose of the grant is to support Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers seeking a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license through completion of a teacher preparation program or the licensure via portfolio process. Grant funding is available to school districts, charter schools, education service cooperatives, and partnerships between one or more teacher preparation providers and school districts or charter schools.
PELSB is currently seeking reviewers for grant applications, which are due May 15, 2026. Reviewers must be able to complete the duties of the position, and will receive a $200 stipend to offset the time and expense involved with attending a training session, reviewing and scoring approximately 5-10 proposals, and participating in grant training and a grant review meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click the button above to submit your news and/or job openings! Also, please whitelist info@mnase.org and laurie.pumper@mnase.org to ensure that you receive your newsletter without interruption.
|
|
|
|
|
